Message from the President and Executive Director

Dear friends,

On behalf of TASH, we wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving. As we enter this holiday season and look toward Giving Tuesday (December 2) we at TASH have much to be thankful for, including our committed members and supporters who help us advance our mission to advance inclusion for all people with disabilities, including those with the most significant support needs, in all aspects of life including education, employment, and community living.

Over this past year, we continued to play a pivotal role in the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center (DETAC), participated in the Disability Policy Seminar (please consider attending this coming March as we join allies to advocate during this challenging era), and we honored former Senator Bob Casey with our Outstanding Leadership in Disability Law Award. TASH continues to work to inform our members and supporters, and especially Congress and the Administration, about the issues we all care about. See the TASH Advocacy Tools and Resources page for more.

We’re grateful to our passionate and committed members and allies who support TASH. Your generous support is essential to our continued work and success. As we approach Giving Tuesday, we hope that you will make a donation, which is fully tax deductible.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

With gratitude,

Michael Brogioli Executive Director

Jean Gonsier-Gerdin President

Message from the President

As I conclude my term as President of the TASH Board of Directors, I want to share my heartfelt thanks for the support, wisdom, and collaboration you have offered along the way. Serving in this role has been a distinct honor. I have learned so much from so many dedicated advocates, and it has been inspiring to witness the collective impact we make together. I am truly grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I look forward to staying engaged in this work alongside you in new ways. Thank you for all you do for TASH and for the disability community.

Sincerely,
Jean Gonsier-Gerdin

TASH News

Registration for the 2025 TASH Conference remains open all the way through the beginning of the Conference and includes on-site registration.

From thought-provoking general sessions to Intensive Workshops, Breakout Sessions, TASH Talks, and Poster Presentations, attendees will explore fresh ideas, exchange strategies, and connect with peers from around the world. Whether you’re here to learn new practices, share your story, or celebrate our legacy of inclusion, the TASH Conference offers countless opportunities to explore, learn, and network.

Additionally, the Conference hotel room rate for the Hyatt Regency Denver remains available for attendees still needing to book a hotel room.

Support Cal-TASH’s Virtual Fundraiser this Black Friday at Panda Express

Dine out at Panda Express this Friday, November 28, 2025 to support Cal-TASH. When you place an online order at pandaexpress.com and apply code 9008140 in the Fundraising Code box during online checkout, 28% of sales will be donated to CalTASH! CalTASH will donate 25% of their Panda Express proceeds to our national organization, TASH. Thank you for dining out to support advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for people with disabilities.

Policy & News Updates

Washington Update for November 2025

If you missed it, TASH’s November Washington Update is available on the TASH blog. We update members on the government shutdown (now past), state cuts to Medicaid home and community-based services, continued attacks on the Department of Education, and a new proposed rule from the Social Security Administration. You can also find the latest on member advocacy on out Advocacy Tools & Resources page.

Push Congress to Protect Children with Disabilities and Protect IDEA

The Administration continues to unlawfully dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED) by shifting the functions of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and other offices to other federal agencies. Further, the Department is preparing to shift responsibilities under IDEA to other agencies. The separation and fragmentation of K–12 oversight, funding, and technical assistance place fundamental educational legal protections in peril and put millions of children with disabilities at risk. Importantly, such changes have not been approved by Congress. The public deserves to learn how the Secretary plans to fulfill the Department’s full obligations under IDEA and other education and disability laws. Use COPAA’s political portal to tell Congress to conduct oversight hearings.

Dismantling the Department of Education: Stories of Harm

Help the National Education Association (NEA) collect personal experiences of concrete harm from the dismantling of the Department of Education (e.g., late or missing payments to grantees, unanswered requests for guidance, inconsistent guidance, problems coordinating services, or uncertainty around federal funding that leads to cuts in programs and services). If you or someone you know has experienced harm from the dismantling of the Department of Education, please contact Marissa Marandola at mmarandola@nea.org.

Employment and Empowerment Through Sustainable Partnerships
3:00–4:30 PM Eastern, Tuesday, December 9, 2025

This webinar will explore DETAC’s recently published Empowerment Through Partnership employment toolkit for CILs and feature a panel of community stakeholders who will share real-world examples of successful collaborations to advance employment and economic outcomes for people with disabilities. This session will provide actionable strategies and practical tools to help Centers for Independent Living (CILs) initiate and sustain partnerships to drive meaningful outcomes.

Learning Objectives

• Identify approaches for engaging community partners and demonstrating the value of collaboration.
• Discuss strategies for sustaining relationships over time.
• Recognize the benefits of developing Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), including learning strategies for how to gain leadership buy-in for establishing formal partnerships.

Presenters

	Lidia Fonseca, PhD Executive Director Valley Association for Independent Living
	Angela Cardenas Owner Rancho Encino Life Skills

Celebrating the ADA: How Assistive Tech Supports Daily Life & Work

In honor of the 35^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we focus on how technology is shaping the future of accessibility. The webinar panel from the Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3 Center) focused on increasing access to and acquisition of Assistive Technology (AT) tools across the lifespan. The panel shared examples of how AT is that critical bridge to helping break down barriers and provide innovative approaches for one to be more independent within the workplace and the broader community. Watch the entire webinar as a recording on the DETAC YouTube channel.

Follow DETAC on social media for news and resources:

Spotlight on Research

Call for Nominations:
Editor of Inclusive Practices

The Editorial Search Committee is now accepting applications from scholars interested in serving as the Editor of Inclusive Practices. The Editor will serve a 3-year term. Support for this journal will be provided by the TASH Research and Publications Committee. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please send a cover letter of interest and your vita to Stacy Dymond (sdymond@illinois.edu). The search closes March 15, 2026. Read the full Call for Nominations here.

Community News

Propose a Presentation in the Wise 2025-2026 Webinar Series

Wise is seeking new-to-Wise presenters for their weekly Wise Webinar series, running from October 2025 through May 2026. They are looking for presentations featuring real world examples of best practices on a broad list of topics. You can read more about topics and format by downloading Wise’s webinar proposal flier, and you can submit your proposal at the Wise Webinar page.

• Veterans Accommodations Toolkit: Workplace Resources for Disabled Veterans
  Transitioning from military service to civilian work? The U.S. Department of Labor has a free, easy-to-use toolkit to support veterans and returning service members, including disabled veterans, in planning their careers: bit.ly/4oInVDm.
• Blending, Braiding, and Sequencing Resources to Support Employment of People with Disabilities
  A new LEAD Center FAQ is now available on blending, braiding and sequencing resources to support the employment of people with disabilities! This resource offers clear, actionable guidance for coordinating across agencies to reduce silos and improve outcomes. bit.ly/4i4eN9B.
• Improving Access for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Job Seekers: Tip Sheet for American Job Centers
  Does your workplace want simple, practical ways to improve access for Deaf or hard-of-hearing customers? The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) developed this tip sheet to support effective communication and community collaboration.
  bit.ly/47YHCj5.

Employment Opportunities

Seeking a Values-Based Employee or Employer?
Post Your Job or Resume on TASH’s Career Center

TASH has expanded our career offerings with our full-blown Career Center. When you post your resume as a TASH member, you will be listed higher in search results and e-mails to employers. Job postings start at $199 for a 30-day advertisement for TASH members and $249 for non-members. Join TASH today to make your next career move.

Upcoming Events

Thank You to Our Donors!

We would like to thank everyone who donated to TASH in November 2025. We are grateful to all of our supporters who help us achieve equity, opportunity, and inclusion for people with disabilities. Thank you! Please consider a year end donation in honor of TASH’s 50^th Anniversary and in light of “Giving Tuesday” on December 2.

TASH advances equity, opportunity and inclusion for people with disabilities, with a focus on those with the most significant support needs, in the areas of education, employment and community living through advocacy, research and practice. More information about TASH can be found at www.tash.org.

TASH
P.O. Box 10026, Washington, D.C. 20018-0026 | (202) 808-8148 | info@tash.org

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